Match container



Dec. l2, i939.

L. R.V ATKlNs MATCH CONTAINER 'Filed March 28, 1938 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 mm ffm an f n. w M Z Homann" 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 L. R. ATKINS MATCH CONTAINER Filed March 28, 1938 Dec. 12, 1939.

Dec. 12,1939. RATKWS A .2,182,909

' MATCH CONTAINER Filed March 28, 1938 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 /By im Patented Dec. 12, 1939 Y UNITED STATES PATENT OFFiCE MATCH CONTAINER Application March 28, 1938, Serial No. 198,545

3 Claims. (Cl. 20S-33.5)

This invention appertains to new and useful improvements in match safes in which safety matches can be conveniently carried on the person.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide a match safe in which safety matches can be conveniently placed and from which the same can be extracted and ignited, by manipulating the device in one hand. In other1 words, such a device is highly desirable for use by those who drive automobiles in that only one hand of the user is required to manipulate this match safe while the drivers other hand can be on the steering wheel.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a match safe in which a plurality of safety matches can be contained and from which the matches can be singly extracted and automatically ignited.

Other important objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent to the reader of the following specification.

In the drawings: Figure 1 represents a side elevational view of the container.

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view.

Figure 3 is a cross sectional view on the line 3--3 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a cross sectional view on the line 4--4 of Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a vertical sectional view on the line 5--5 of Fig. 2.

Figure 6 is a perspective view with the match containing frame removed. y

Figure 7 is a perspective view cf the match containing frame.

Figure 8 is a perspective view of one of the special matches.

Figure 9 is a perspective view of the feed block.

Referring to the drawings, wherein like numerals designate like parts, it can be seen that the safe consists of the shallow box-like structure 5 having the side walls a-b, the top and bottom walls c-d and the front end wall e. An opening 2| is formed in the rear end wall, said opening leaving a short rear wall 2 at the top of the device and a horizontal partition I2 extends from the bottom of this wall 2 to a point spaced from the upper portion of the end wall e. The

side wall a is provided with the semi-circular shaped opening 6 merging into the larger opening 'I which extends through the end wall e, this opening leaving the short upper and lower portions of the wall e and a narrow rear portion as shown more particularly in Figures 1, 2 and 3,

A vertically arranged guide member 8 is suitably fastened to the rear wall b of the device adja-y cent the front thereof, this member being of substantially semi-circular shape in cross section to provide a groove for receiving the matches and the upper end, which extends above the partition I2 is free of the rear wall and is slightly spaced therefrom and curves inwardly and upwardly as shown at II in Figure 5 and has on its grooved or front face a sheet I5 of abrasive v10 material. Said part I1 has acertain amount of resiliency and a vertically arranged'grooved part I 1I is fastened to the upper portion of the front wall a and is located oppositethe part I1 and this member I4 has a strip I5 of abrasive ma- 15 terial thereon, this part I4 also being of resilient material and curving inwardly and upwardly toward the member I'I so that these two members I4 and I1 form spring jaws with the abrasive material'on the inner faces. A slightly curved 20 extension 2U is formed with or connected to the inner side edge of the member 8, this extension being much shorter than the member 8 so as to terminate above the lower wall of the case and to abut the partition I2', as shown in Figure 25' 2 and said extension curves from said inner edge of the member 8 to the inner face `of the rear wall b as shown in Figures 3 and 4 so as to guide matches from a magazine into the groove formed by the member 8. Each of the matches 9 is of 0 the usual polygonal cross sectional construction having the head Ill and in addition a roughened area II to permit more positive handling of the same. l

Numeral I2 represents the magazine which is 35 composed of a horizontally disposed U-shaped channeled structure, the channeled structure having the flanges f-g to prevent displacement of the matches. The front end of the top part of the frame I 2 is provided with the reduced por- 40 tion I3 which extends under rthe lower end of the member I4 and forms an opening between itself and the upper end of the member 8 for the passage of the match head.

Extending vertically in the frame I2 is the 45 elongated block I8 having the reduced intermediate portion I9 to permit the operators linger nail to be inserted therein to move the matches toward the left for engaging one of the matches convenientl;7 into the grooved structure 8. (See 50 Figure 1.)

Thematches are arranged in two rows as suggested in Figure 3. The frame I2 is inserted through the elongated opening 2l in the end 2 of the box 5 when it is charged with matches. 55

In using the device, the matches are fed toward the grooved structure 8 and then slid upwardly as suggested in Figure 5 so that the head is pushed between the match scratching surfaces I5-I6 and through the top opening 25 so that the match will become ignited and can be used without extraction entirely from the safe. In the event a match does not scratch while it is being pushed outwardly, the match can be entirely extracted and scratched against the surface 22. As will be seen the member l2 forms a magazine for the matches and while holding the device in one hand the thumb of the user can be used for pushing a match from the magazine to the member 8 and during this movement the extension 2D guides the match over the inner edge of the member 8 into said member. Then the match is moved upwardly by the thumb to cause its head to pass between the members i4 and l1 which will ignite the head and further movement will cause the match to protrude from the opening 25. By providing the large opening 'I in the front wall and extending this opening into the front end wall the thumb of the user is free to move the match rst sidewise into the member 8 and then upwardly in said member.

While the foregoing specification sets forth the invention in specific terms, it is to be understood that numerous changes in the shape, size and materials may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed hereinafter.

Having described the claimed as new is:

1. A match safe comprising a box-like structure having an opening in its top adjacent the front end wall and a large opening in the front side wall, said opening extending into an intermediate part of the front end wall, a horizontal partition in the box spaced from the top thereof and having its front end spaced from the upper portion of the front end wall, the space between the partition and the bottom wall forming a match receptacle, a vertically arranged member of trough shape in cross section connected with the rear side wall adjacent the front end wall and having its upper end resilient and spaced from the said rear side wall, a short resilient member of trough shape in cross section having its lower end connected with an upper portion of the front side wall, said short member being arranged opposite the resilient upper end of the first trough-shaped member, said resilient parts forming spring jaws, abrasive material connected to the inner faces thereof and said jaws being located under the top opening and a curved guide member connected to the inner side edge of the first-mentioned trough-shaped member for guiding a match over said side edge into the troughshaped member, the jaws igniting the head of the match when the match is forced upwardly in the trough-shaped member.

2. A match safe comprising a box-like structure having an opening in its top adjacent the front end wall and a large opening in the front side wall, said opening extending into an interinvention, what is -the rear side wall adjacent the front end wall and having its upper end resilient and spaced from the said rear side wall, a short resilient member of trough shape in cross section having its lower end connected with an upper portion of the front side wall, said short member being arranged opposite the resilient parts forming spring jaws, abrasive material connected to the inner faces thereof and said jaws being located under the top opening and a curved guide member connected to the inner` side edge of the firstmentioned trough-shaped member for guiding a match igniting the head of the match when the match is forced upwardly in the trough-shaped member, the' rear end wall having an opening therein having its upper end terminating at the underside of the partition and a magazine for the matches including a U-shaped member having its limbs horizontally arranged and said limbs and the bight being of channel-shape in cross section.

3. A match safe comprising a box-like structure having an opening in its top adjacent the front end wall and a large opening in the front side wall, said opening extending into an intermediate partv of the front end wall, a horizontal partition in the box spaced from the top thereof and having its front end spaced from the upper portion of the front end wall, the space between the partition and the bottom wall forming a match receptacle, a vertically arranged member of trough shape in cross section connected with the rear side wall adjacent the front end wall andhaving its upper end resilient and spaced from the said rear side wall, a short resilient member of trough shape in cross section having its lower end connected with an upper portion of the front side wall, said short member being arranged opposite the resilient parts forming spring jaws, abrasive material connected to the inner faces thereof and said jaws being located under the top opening and a curved guide member connected to the inner side edge of the rstl LAWRENCE R. ATKINS. 

